Substituting alternative media  for presentation during variable speed operation

ABSTRACT

A process that incorporates teachings of the subject disclosure may include, for example, detecting a video cue frame within the multimedia data. The video cue frame has an image portion including alternative multimedia content and an encoded message, wherein the alternative multimedia content is imperceptible at a display device during a normal display rate presentation. The alternative multimedia content is obtained from the video cue frame responsive to receiving a first selection of a first alternative display rate that differs from the normal display rate. The alternative multimedia content is provided for display at a display device based on the encoded message. Other embodiments are disclosed.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.16/136,923, filed on Sep. 20, 2018, which is a continuation of U.S.application Ser. No. 15/666,632, filed on Aug. 2, 2017 (now U.S. Pat.No. 10,110,949), which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.13/679,802, filed on Nov. 16, 2012 (now U.S. Pat. No. 9,762,955), whichare incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The subject disclosure relates to substituting alternative media forpresentation during variable speed operation.

BACKGROUND

Multimedia, such as broadcast television and video on demand, typicallyinclude some form of promotional messages, such as commercial messagesor advertisements. For the benefit of viewers, production anddistribution costs of multimedia are offset by advertising revenuesgained through sale of promotional spots. Advertisers may purchasepromotional spots for airing promotional messages during a particularprogram, time and/or market, with an expectation that viewers will beexposed to their products and services by way of their messages.

Multimedia recorders, such as digital video recorders (DVR) and videocassette recorders (VCR), generally record multimedia withoutdistinguishing differences between programmed content, such as movies orbroadcast television shows, versus promotional spots positioned withinthe programmed content. A viewer may select from an electronic programguide one or more programs for recording. Alternatively, a viewer mayselect one or more of a start time, an end time, duration, and channelfor recording. Multimedia program content airing in association with theviewer-selected programs or at the viewer-selected channels and timesmay be subsequently recorded. The recorded multimedia programs generallyinclude any promotional content, such as original advertisements thataired during promotional spots of the recorded program. Consequently,the original advertisements will be viewable during playback of thepre-recorded multimedia content.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are notnecessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:

FIG. 1A depicts an illustrative embodiment of a media processing deviceincluding an alternative media selector;

FIG. 1B depicts in more detail an illustrative embodiment of thealternative media selector of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 2 depicts an illustrative embodiment of multimedia data includingvideo cues for processing by the alternative media selector of FIGS.1A-1B;

FIG. 3 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a process operating inportions of the system described in FIGS. 1A-1B and FIGS. 4-7;

FIGS. 4-5 depict illustrative embodiments of communication systems thatprovide media services;

FIG. 6 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a web portal forinteracting with the communication systems of FIGS. 1A-1B;

FIG. 7 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a communication device; and

FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic representation of a machine in the form of acomputer system within which a set of instructions, when executed, maycause the machine to perform any one or more of the methods describedherein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The subject disclosure describes, among other things, illustrativeembodiments of techniques related to selecting and substitutingalternative media for presentation during variable display rateoperation of a multimedia processor, such as a set-top box or a digitalvideo recorder. Examples include the selection and presentation of analternative video sequence for display during periods of fast forwardingor rewinding. Whereas multimedia content produced for normal displayrate consumption may be unintelligible when displayed during periods offast forwarding or rewinding, alternative media can be configured todeliver an intelligible message during such periods of operation. Otherembodiments are included in the subject disclosure.

One embodiment of the subject disclosure includes an apparatus having amemory to store computer instructions and a processor coupled to thememory. The processor, responsive to executing the computerinstructions, performs operations including receiving video dataincluding program content and promotional content and forwarding thevideo data to a display device. A video cue is detected within the videodata, wherein the video cue is imperceptible during a first display ratepresentation of the video data. A selection is received for a seconddisplay rate that differs from normal display rate. Alternative videocontent is selected and forwarded to the display device responsive tothe video cue and the selection for second display rate that differsfrom normal display rate.

Another embodiment of the subject disclosure includes a processorincluding receiving, by a system including a processor, video dataincluding program content and promotional content. The video data areforwarding, by a system, to a display device. A video cue is detected bythe system within the video data, wherein the video cue is imperceptibleduring a normal display rate presentation of the video data. A selectionis received for alternative display rate that differs from normaldisplay rate. Alternative content is forwarded by the system to thedisplay device responsive to the video cue and the selection foralternative display rate that differs from normal display rate.

Yet another embodiment of the subject disclosure includes acomputer-readable storage medium, including computer instructions which,responsive to being executed by a processor, cause the processor toperform operations. The performed operations include receivingmultimedia data including program content and promotional content andforwarding multimedia data to a multimedia presentation device. A videocue is detected within the multimedia data, wherein the video cue isimperceptible during normal display rate presentation of the multimediadata. A selection is received for alternative display rate that differsfrom normal display rate. Alternative content is forwarded to thedisplay device responsive to the video cue and the selection foralternative display rate that differs from normal display rate.

FIG. 1A depicts and illustrative embodiment of a media processing device100, such as a set-top box, a digital video recorder, a computer, atablet computer, a personal data assistant, a smart phone, and the like.The media processing device 100 includes a media streaming module 103, amedia decoding module 107, an alternative media processor 150, a displayprocessing module 151 and in at least some embodiments, a storage device130. In operation, the media processing device 100 receives a media 101in the form of streaming media, processing the received streaming mediaand provides an output suitable for presentation to a display device fordisplaying content of the received streaming media. The media processingdevice 100 receives a alternative display rate 109 input causing thedisplay processing module 151 to adjust presentation of the media, forexample, in the form of play, pause, fast-forward, rewind, and the like,according to a user selection.

The media streaming module 103 receives streaming media, such asstreaming video, streaming audio, streaming text, and combinationsthereof, sometimes referred to as streaming multimedia (e.g., streamingaudiovisual content as in the context of a movie or broadcast televisionprogram). The media streaming module 103 can include a media streamingclient process to suitably process the received streaming mediaaccording to a streaming media protocol applied by a streaming mediasource, such as a video server, a broadcaster, etc. The received mediacan include compression, for example, as in MPEG compression applied toaudiovisual content. The decoder 107 module receives a compressedpresentation of the received media, applies a suitable decompressionalgorithm, and provides as an output a decompressed presentation of thereceived media.

In the illustrative example, output of the decoder module includes avideo sequence 102, an audio portion 104 and metadata 106. The video102, audio 104 and metadata are forwarded to the alternative mediaprocessor 150, along with a signal or other suitable indication as tothe received display rate selection 109. The multimedia processor 150can selectively insert substitute media content into at least the videosequence 102, for example, during periods of fast-forward, rewind,pause, such that a modified video sequence 116 is forwarded to thedisplay processor 151. The display processor generates a suitable inputfor presentation to a display device, representative of the modifiedvideo sequence.

FIG. 1B depicts an illustrative embodiment of an alternative mediaprocessor 150. The alternative media processor 150 receives an inputmedia stream, such as an input video sequence 102 and provides an outputmedia stream, such as an output video sequence 116. The alternativemedia processor 150 also includes a cue frame detector 108, analternative media controller 110, a content delivery multiplexor 114 andan alternative media selection multiplexor 122. The cue frame detector108 receives the input video sequence 102. In at least some embodiments,the cue frame detector can also receive one or more of an associatedaudio track 104 and metadata 106. For example, the video sequence 102,the audio track 104 and the metadata 106 can be provided from a videodecompression module (not shown), such as an MPEG decoder. The cue framedetector 108 can forward the video sequence 102′ to a first input A ofthe video multiplexer 114. The forwarded video sequence 102′ can be thesame video sequence received by the cue frame detector 108, or amodified version, for example, having one or more of the cue frames 124removed or modified within the input video sequence 102.

The cue frame detector 108 can be configured to detect one or more cueframes 124 included within the input video sequence 102. As disclosedherein, a cue frame 124 can provide an indication of alternative videocontent to be displayed during variable display rate operation. A cueframe 124 can include the alternative content, as in a placard image tobe displayed as a billboard during periods of variable display rateoperation. A series of cue frames 124 can collectively include thealternative content, as identical images, collectively displaying abillboard, or as different images collectively forming an intelligiblemoving image when displayed during variable display rate operation.

Generally, cue frames 124 do not contribute to a human interpretabledisplay of the video sequence 102 within which they are embedded whenviewed at normal display rate, e.g., non-variable display rate mode. Atleast one approach for ensuring this result includes the introduction ofonly a single cue frame 124 or a small group of cue frames bounded byextended segments of program content video frames. For example, anisolated, single cue frame 124 in a video sequence 102 when displayed ata normal playback rate of about 30 frames per second would beunintelligible by a human observer and thus imperceptible during normaldisplay rate presentation of video data. Nevertheless, the cue framedetector 108 is configured to identify such cue frames 124 as they occurwithin the input video sequence 102.

In some embodiments, candidate cue frames 124 can be detected asindividual frames, or small groups of frames, that differ substantiallyfrom neighboring frames. A sudden change from one video frame to thenext might be an indication of a scene change within a program, ortransition to a different program. As such, video frames immediatelysubsequent to a scene change or program change would not vary as much asthey would be part of the same scene or program. Cue frames 124,however, would appear as a scene/program change followed by anotherscene/program change within the order of 1/30^(th) of a second orsimilarly short duration. Such a brief duration would be too brief fortwo scene changes, suggesting that the apparently out of place frame, orsmall group of frames, is likely a cue frame 124.

Alternatively or in addition, such cue frames can include a pixel array,such as a sub-image, or region of the image of the cue frame thatincludes an encoded message, such as a bar code, or quick response (QR)code. Such encoded messages can serve as an indication of a cue frameand in some instances include additional information, such as whetherthe frame is a placard, or part of a video message. Other informationmay relate to identification of an advertising sponsor, or address bywhich alternative content can be associated. In at least someembodiments, one or more of the audio track 104 or the metadata 106 caninclude indications as to a location of a cue frame, or otherinformation related to the cue frame, such as identification anadvertising sponsor, or address by which alternative content can beassociated. Such indications can be included as sub-audio signals in theaudio track 104, or other suitable means for conveying information.

The cue frames 124 can be inserted at various locations within a videosequence and as such cam be used as signals to identify particularlocations within the input video sequence 102. The cue frame detector108 provides an output signal to the alternative media controller 110 toprovide indications when cue frames are identified within the inputvideo sequence 102. Such indications can include a time reference, suchas real time value (e.g., coordinated universal time, local time, orsome variant), or program time value, e.g., a time relative to a programreference, such as a program start time. In some embodiments, a framereference includes a frame number, such as a frame number relative to astart of a program, program segment, or the like. In at least someembodiments, the cue frame detector 108 sends a copy of the detected cueframe to the alternative media controller 110. The cue frame can 124 becopied from the input video sequence 102. Alternatively, the cue frame124 can be extracted from the input video sequence, in which instancethe video sequence 102′ forwarded to the video multiplexer is a modifiedvideo sequence, having the cue frames 124 removed.

In some embodiments, one or more cue frames 124 detected from the inputvideo sequence 102 are stored in a computer-readable storage device 130.In the illustrative embodiment, a dashed line indicates that detectedcue frames can be copied to the storage device 130. It is understoodthat the process of copying such cue frames to the storage device 130can be accomplished with the assistance of another processor orcontroller. For example, the alternative media controller 110 or anotherprocessor of a media processor can be used to implement one or morefeatures of the alternative media selector.

Alternative media 132 can be obtained by the alternative media processor150 from one or more sources. Sources include the input video sequence102, for example, by way of the cue frames 124 or similar video framesinserted within the input video sequence 102. One requirement for thisapproach would be that the inserted frames are imperceptible when thevideo sequence 102 is viewed at normal play display rate. Other sourcesinclude a network accessible content source, for example, a server ordatabase reachable over the Internet and identified by an address, suchas a uniform resource locator (URL). Such addresses and or file names orlabels identifying particular alternative content can be included, forexample, within the cue frame 124, within the corresponding audio track104, or within the metadata 106. Thus, detection of a cue frame 124 canbe interpreted by the alternative media controller 110 to extract anidentity and/or location of alternative media content. The alternativemedia controller 110 can then obtain the identified alternative mediacontent from the storage device 130, or from a remote source, thenstoring it locally in the storage device 130 and/or providing itdirectly to an input of the alternative media select multiplexer 122.

Still other sources for alternative content include other programchannels. Thus, a recording of multimedia data including the input videosequence 102 can be obtained from content provided on one channel, whilealternative medial suitable for substitution can be obtained on anotherchannel. Alternative media can be obtained or otherwise recordedsubstantially simultaneously with the program being recorded and/orviewed, for example, on a multi-channel DVR. In some embodiments,alternative content is downloaded in substantially real time forjust-in-time delivery for substitution. Alternative content can also bedownloaded during periods of inactivity, or during periods of normalprogram viewing, e.g., preceding a promotional segment, such that thealternative content is stored and available for substitution withoutfear of interruption due to network delay.

The computer-readable storage device 130 can be any storage devicesuitable for storing multimedia information. Examples include, withoutlimitation, any of the storage technologies disclosed herein, includingstorage intended for storing multimedia, such as flash memory, magneticdisks, optical storage disk, and the like. Alternatively or in addition,the electronic storage device 130 can store one or more segments ofalternative media for display during display rate operation of themultimedia processor. One category of alternative media includes stillimages, referred to herein as placards 126. A placard 126 can bedisplayed by providing a still image, such as a billboard, duringperiods of fast forward or rewind. Billboard messages can beintelligible regardless of a direction of the display rate processing,e.g., forward or reverse, and regardless of a rate of the display rateprocessing. The still image can be provided as a sequence of videoframes all including substantially the same content, such that whenpresented to a video port of the display device, produce a substantiallystill image on the display. Other embodiments can provide a single videoframe or image, such as a JPEG or bitmap image to a data port of thedisplay device, which can be displayed as a still image. Anothercategory of alternative media includes a shortened or abridged videomessage that are intelligible during periods of fast forward operation.Such shortened video messages are referred to herein as “flash”messages, flash commercials, or flash ads 128.

The alternative media processor 110 receives an indication from the cueframe detector 108 and an indication of a display rate selection. Thealternative media processor 110 provides a first alternative mediaselection output 120 to the alternative media selector multiplexor 122.In the illustrative example, the alternative media selector multiplexor122 receives three inputs: (A) a flash ad 128 from the storage device130; (B) a placard 126, also from the storage device 130, and (C) a cueframe 124 from the cue frame detector 108. Depending upon an alternativemedia selection signal 120 provided at a control input of themultiplexor 122, one of the three inputs A, B or C is forwarded to asecond input (B) of the content delivery multiplexor 114, as a possiblecandidate for substitution with the video sequence 102′. The alternativemedia controller 110 provides a second alternative media selectionoutput signal 112 to the content delivery multiplexor 114. Dependingupon a value of the second alternative media selection output signal112, one of the input video sequence 102′ and the alternative content118 is provided as an output video sequence 116, for example, suitablefor forwarding to a video input of a display device (not shown).

In some embodiments, a selection from among more than one availablealternative media segments can be made by the alternative mediacontroller. Such selections can be made at least in part responsive to aparticular display rate adjust mode of operation. For example, if adisplay rate selection is for rewind, then a billboard type alternativemedia can be selected. Similarly, if a fast forward display rate asdetermined by the display rate selection is above some threshold value,a billboard type advertisement can also be selected. If, however, thedisplay rate selection is below the threshold value, then flash stylecontent can be provided.

One or more elements of the alternative media processor 150 can beimplemented within a media processing device, such as a set-top box, adigital video recorder, a computer, a tablet computer, a personal dataassistant, a smart phone, and the like.

FIG. 2 depicts, in schematic form, an illustrative embodiment of a videosequence 200. The video sequence 200 includes a first program segment202 a including video frames that collectively define a first segment ofa video or multimedia program, such as a broadcast television program,video on demand, or pre-recorded content. The video sequence 200 alsoincludes a similar second program segment 202 b separated from the firstprogram segment 202 a by an intervening promotional segment 204. Thepromotional segment 204 can represent a commercial break in a multimediaevent, such as a television program, sporting event, or the like.

In the illustrative embodiment, the promotional segment 204 includes afirst promotional spot (PS) 206 a, a second promotional spot 206 b and athird promotional spot 206 c. A first reference time scale isillustrated below the video sequence 200 and labeled program time 220. Afirst time reference portrayed on the program time 200 at to identifiesa beginning of the promotional segment 204 and a beginning of the firstpromotional spot 206 a. A second time reference at t₀+30 identifies abeginning of the second promotional spot 206 b. A third time referenceat t₀+60 identifies a beginning of the third promotional spot 206 c, anda fourth time reference at t₀+60 identifies an end of the of the thirdpromotional spot 206 b and the end of the promotional segment 204. Forexample, each of the promotional spots 206 a, 206 b, 206 c (generally206) corresponds to a 30 second promotional spot, collectively occupying90 seconds on the program timeline 220. Commercial messages includingrespective video segments of commercial content can be included withineach of the respective promotional spots 206, such that the commercialcontent will be displayed during presentation of the video sequence 200on a display device.

A playback mode or playback display rate indicator 222 is illustratedbelow the program timeline 220. A leftmost segment of the playbackdisplay rate indicator 222 is labeled “Normal” indicating that normaldisplay rate has been chosen by equipment of a user allowing forstandard display rate playback prior to time t₀. At time t₀, however,the playback display rate is varied by equipment of a user to a value often times (10×) faster than normal playback display rate. The fastforward display rate occurs only for the duration of the promotionalsegment 204, and then returns to normal display rate playback for thesecond program segment 202 b. A second timeline is illustrated below theplayback mode/display rate indicator 222, indicative of real orotherwise perceived time 224 in view of the different playback displayrates. As a display rate selection is made to increase playback displayrate by a factor of ten (10×) during the first promotional slot 206 a,the duration of 30 seconds is reduced by a factor of ten, resulting in aperceived duration of three seconds. Similar time compression isperceived for the second and third promotional spots 206, such that theduration of the entire promotional segment 204 is reduced from 90seconds to only nine seconds.

The techniques disclosed herein provide opportunities for selectingand/or inserting substitute multimedia, e.g., video, content duringperiods of display rate selection, such that a first substitutepromotional message can be forwarded to a display device for theperceived time of the first promotional spot, e.g., for three seconds,instead of the original 30 second promotional spot. In some embodiments,different substitute promotional messages are displayed with respect toeach promotional spot. In the illustrative example, fast forwardingthrough three 30-second promotional spots 260 would result in threesuccessive substitute promotional messages, of about three seconds each.Alternatively or in addition, it is possible for one alternative videocontent to be substituted and forwarded to the display device for theentire promotional segment 204, or for the entire duration that displayrate adjust operates at a non-normal display rate.

In the illustrative example, each of the first, second and thirdpromotional messages 206 a, 206 b, 206 c is preceded by a respective oneof first, second and third cue frames 208 a, 208 b, 208 c (generally208). Although the cue frame 208 is shown as a first frame in apromotional spot 206, it is possible for the cue frame 208 to appearanywhere within the promotional spot 206 or at other locations withinthe video sequence, including any location within the promotionalsegment 204 and in the program segment 202, for example, at a locationpreceding the promotional segment 204.

In a similar manner that a cue frame 208 can be included to indicate anopportunity for alternative promotional media content, a similar cueframe 208 can be included to indicate a conclusion of a promotionalsegment 204. For example, a cue frame 208 providing a placard or flashmessage indicative of the original program content can be included at anend of a promotional segment 204. Such a placard can include a programtitle, a promotional scene, or excerpt from the program or programsegment 202. For example, while alternative promotional content can beforwarded to a display during variable display rate operation withinsegments of original promotional content, alternative program contentindicative of the original program can be forwarded to the displayduring variable display rate operation within segments of the originalprogram. This allows a viewer to observe alternative promotionalmessages while fast forwarding or rewinding through promotionalsegments, while also receiving an indication that the promotionalsegment has passed, allowing a user to return to normal display rateoperation, should that be so desired.

FIG. 3 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a process 300 forsubstituting alternative media for display during periods of variabledisplay rate operation. Video data is processed at 302. This caninclude, for example, receiving a multimedia stream 102 (FIG. 1)including a sequence of video frames, otherwise referred to as a videosequence 200 (FIG. 2). Processing of the video data can includeforwarding the multimedia stream including the video sequence to adisplay device for presentation to a viewer.

The video sequence 102, 200 can be forwarded to the display device atvarious display rates. For example, normal display rate referring toplayback display rate at an intended display rate in which each oneminute segment of a video sequence forwarded to the display device isdisplayed in about a one minute period. Other display rate selectionsinclude fast forward, slow motion, rewind, and pause. In at least someof the display rate selections, such as fast forward, one or more fastforward display rates can be selected by equipment of a viewer. Examplesof different fast forward display rates include twice (2×) normaldisplay rate, in which each one minute segment of video sequenceforwarded to the display device is displayed in about 30 seconds. Otherfast forward display rates include ten times (10×), in which each oneminute segment of video sequence forwarded to the display device isdisplayed in about six seconds. Other fast forward display rates includeeven greater display rates, such as twenty times (20×) normal displayrate and thirty two times (32×) normal display rate.

A cue frame 208 within the video sequence 200 is detected at 204.Continuing with the illustrative example of FIG. 1, the cue framedetector 108 receives the input video sequence 102 and detects cueframes 124 embedded within the input video sequence. In general, suchcue frames 124 can be embedded during production of the video sequenceor at any time during distribution and presentation of the videosequence, allowing different entities to direct later substitution ofalternative media.

It can be determined at 306 whether processing of the video data issubject to an alternative display rate selection. In this context, analternative display rate selection refers to a display rate presentationother than normal playback display presentation. Such detection of analternative display rate selection can be accomplished by thealternative media controller 110. For example, the alternative mediacontroller 110 can receive an indication from a display rate selection109, as may be provided from an operational mode selection (e.g., fastforward 2×, fast forward 10×, rewind) of a multimedia processorassociated with the input video sequence 102. To the extent that it isdetermined at 306 that there is no alternative display rate, signifyingnormal display rate, or playback operation, the process continues withthe processing of video data at 302. To the extent, however, that it isdetermined at 306 that there is an alternative display rate, it is nextdetermined at 308 whether a cue frame has been detected.

The alternative media controller 110 receives an indication from the cueframe detector 108 that a cue frame 124 has been detected. To the extentthat it is determined at 308 that a cue frame has been detected,alternative video data is identified at 313. For example, thealternative media controller 110 can select one or more alternativemedia segments from the storage device 130. In some embodiments,selection of a particular alternative media segment can be responsive toinformation obtained from the cue frame 124. For example, thealternative media content can be a placard 126 corresponding to the cueframe 124 itself.

Identification or selection of the alternative media content can includeproviding the selected alternative content to an alternative contentinput of the video multiplexor 114. Continuing with the illustrativeexample of FIG. 1, the alternative media controller 110 after havingselected alternative media for presentation to the alternative mediaselection multiplexor 122, selects a corresponding input by way of thefirst alternative media selection control signal 120. Thus, if aparticular placard 126 was chosen from the storage device, then the (B)input corresponding to the placard 126 is selected as alternativecontent 118.

Once identified, the alternative video data is processed at 314.Processing can include the alternative media controller 110 providing asecond alternative media selection signal 112 to a control input of thecontent delivery multiplexer 114. The second alternative media selectionsignal 112 selects the alternative content 118 as the output videosequence 116. The output video sequence 116, now including thealternative content 118 of the placard 126, is forward to the displaydevice for display to a viewer.

It is next determined at 316 whether the display rate has returned tonormal playback display rate. To the extent that it has not, the processcontinues by identifying any additional alternative video data at 313,processing the alternative video data at 314. To the extent that thedisplay rate has returned to normal playback display rate, the processcontinues at 302 to process the original video data. This can beaccomplished by the alternative media controller 110 receiving an inputidentifying normal playback display rate, and in response, providing asecond alternative media selection signal 112 at the control input ofthe content delivery multiplexer 114 selecting or otherwise causing theinput video sequence 102′ to be provided as the output video sequence116 and forwarded to the display device for display to the viewer.

Considering the alternative at 308 in which it is determined that a cueframe has not been detected, it is next determined at 310 whether thedisplay rate has returned to normal playback display rate. To the extentthat it has, the process continues at 302 to process the original videodata. To the extent that is has not, another cue frame can be detectedat 312, followed by a determination at 308 as to whether another cueframe has been detected. Thus, if no cue frame was originally detectedat 304, but an alternative display rate was detected at 306, the processcontinues to check for cues frames at 312 until either a cue frame isdetected at 308 or video processing returns to normal playback mode at310. If a cue frame is subsequently detected at 308, alternative videodata is identified at 313 and processed at 314, as described above.

In at least some embodiments, after determining that a alternativedisplay rate has been applied at 306, a display rate limit isselectively applied at 307. For example, a fast forward can be arelatively slow value, such as two to ten times normal display rate, ora relatively fast value, such as 32 times normal display rate. If a cueframe is detected at 304, alternative video data will be processed at314, for example, inserted into the displayed video. If the alternativevideo provides a video clip, the presentation of the video may dependupon the fast forward rate. Namely, for presentation of a short videoclip inserted in place of a standard commercial may depend upon the fastforward rate being a particular rate, e.g., 2 times or 10 times, or arelatively slow rate below some threshold presentation rate e.g., below10 times normal display rate.

Even if a placard style of alternative video is inserted, presenting astill image, the duration of the image display can depend upon the userprovided fast forward rate. The duration of a presentation of at adisplay device of the alternative video data may depend upon the fastforward display rate. A user selection of ten times normal rate willallow up to three seconds for display of a placard in place of a 30second promotional segment. A selection of 32 times normal display ratemay be too fast for even a placard style message.

The display rate limit 307 can operate to detect a user selected displayrate and if the user selected display rate is above a threshold displayrate, substitute it with a lower display rate. By way of example, thealternative media processor 150 receives a display rate selection input109 indicating a fast forward display rate of 32 times normal displayrate. The alternative media controller 110 determines at 304 that a cueframe has been detected. The alternative media controller 110 comparesthe received display rate selection to a display rate limit, e.g., tentimes normal display rate. Since the selected fast forward display rateof 32 times is above the display rate limit, the alternative mediacontroller 110 provides a modified viewing display rate 113, forexample, to the display processor 151 causing the fast forward operationto be limited to a display rate limit, e.g., ten times normal displayrate. In some embodiments, application of the display rate limit and/orselection of a particular display rate limit can be pre-programmed todepend upon the nature of the alternative media substituted into theoutput video sequence 116.

FIG. 4 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a first communicationsystem 400 for delivering media content. The communication system 400can represent an Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) media system.Multimedia content can be disseminated or otherwise distributed by sucha system to user display devices. The multimedia content can includevideo cue frames inserted during production or distribution of themultimedia content. Processing at a multimedia processor, such as aset-top box or digital video recorder can interpret or otherwiseidentify inserted cue frames and selectively substitute the originallydisseminated multimedia content with substitute content during periodsof display rate selections from normal playback display rate.

The IPTV media system can include a super head-end office (SHO) 410 withat least one super headend office server (SHS) 411 which receives mediacontent from satellite and/or terrestrial communication systems. In thepresent context, media content can represent, for example, audiocontent, moving image content such as 2D or 3D videos, video games,virtual reality content, still image content, and combinations thereof.The SHS server 411 can forward packets associated with the media contentto one or more video head-end servers (VHS) 414 via a network of videohead-end offices (VHO) 412 according to a multicast communicationprotocol.

The VHS 414 can distribute multimedia broadcast content via an accessnetwork 418 to commercial and/or residential buildings 402 housing agateway 404 (such as a residential or commercial gateway). The accessnetwork 418 can represent a group of digital subscriber line accessmultiplexers (DSLAMs) located in a central office or a service areainterface that provide broadband services over fiber optical links orcopper twisted pairs 419 to buildings 402. The gateway 404 can usecommunication technology to distribute broadcast signals to mediaprocessors 406 such as Set-Top Boxes (STBs) which in turn presentbroadcast channels to media devices 408 such as computers or televisionsets managed in some instances by a media controller 407 (such as aninfrared or RF remote controller).

The gateway 404, the media processors 406, and media devices 408 canutilize tethered communication technologies (such as coaxial, powerlineor phone line wiring) or can operate over a wireless access protocolsuch as Wireless Fidelity (WiFi), Bluetooth, Zigbee, or other present ornext generation local or personal area wireless network technologies. Byway of these interfaces, unicast communications can also be invokedbetween the media processors 406 and subsystems of the IPTV media systemfor services such as video-on-demand (VoD), browsing an electronicprogramming guide (EPG), or other infrastructure services.

A satellite broadcast television system 429 can be used in the mediasystem of FIG. 4. The satellite broadcast television system can beoverlaid, operably coupled with, or replace the IPTV system as anotherrepresentative embodiment of communication system 400. In thisembodiment, signals transmitted by a satellite 415 that include mediacontent can be received by a satellite dish receiver 431 coupled to thebuilding 402. Modulated signals received by the satellite dish receiver431 can be transferred to the media processors 406 for demodulating,decoding, encoding, and/or distributing broadcast channels to the mediadevices 408. The media processors 406 can be equipped with a broadbandport to an Internet Service Provider (ISP) network 432 to enableinteractive services such as VoD and EPG as described above.

In yet another embodiment, an analog or digital cable broadcastdistribution system such as cable TV system 433 can be overlaid,operably coupled with, or replace the IPTV system and/or the satelliteTV system as another representative embodiment of communication system400. In this embodiment, the cable TV system 433 can also provideInternet, telephony, and interactive media services.

The subject disclosure can apply to other present or next generationover-the-air and/or landline media content services system.

Some of the network elements of the IPTV media system can be coupled toone or more computing devices 430, a portion of which can operate as aweb server for providing web portal services over the ISP network 432 towireline media devices 408 or wireless communication devices 416.

The communication system 400 can also provide for all or a portion ofthe computing devices 430 to function as a video cue frame insertionprocessor or substitute content management processor (herein referred toas an alternative content manager 430). The alternative content manager430 can use computing and communication technology to perform function464, which can include among other things, one or more of an ability tolocate promotional spots within multimedia data, to insert video cueframes to identify opportunities for substitution of alternativemultimedia content, and to generate alternative content suitable fordissemination and substitution during periods of alternative displayrate of suitably modified multimedia data. The media processors 406 andwireless communication devices 416 can be provisioned with softwarefunctions 460 and 462, respectively, to utilize the services of thealternative content manager 430. Such software functions 460, 462 canimplement alternative media selection and or substitution during periodsof alternative display rate of multimedia processed by the mediaprocessors 406 and the wireless communication devices 416. Such softwarefunctions can implement one or more features of FIGS. 1 and 3.

Multiple forms of media services can be offered to media devices overlandline technologies such as those described above. Additionally, mediaservices can be offered to media devices by way of a wireless accessbase station 417 operating according to common wireless access protocolssuch as Global System for Mobile or GSM, Code Division Multiple Accessor CDMA, Time Division Multiple Access or TDMA, Universal MobileTelecommunications or UMTS, World interoperability for Microwave orWiMAX, Software Defined Radio or SDR, Long Term Evolution or LTE, and soon. Other present and next generation wide area wireless access networktechnologies can be used in one or more embodiments of the subjectdisclosure.

FIG. 5 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a communication system 500employing an IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) network architecture tofacilitate the combined services of circuit-switched and packet-switchedsystems. Communication system 500 can be overlaid or operably coupledwith communication system 400 as another representative embodiment ofcommunication system 400. Multimedia content can be disseminated orotherwise distributed by such a system to user display devices. Themultimedia content can include video cue frames inserted duringproduction or distribution of the multimedia content. Processing at amultimedia processor, such as a set-top box or digital video recordercan interpret or otherwise identify inserted cue frames and selectivelysubstitute the originally disseminated multimedia content withsubstitute content during periods of alternative display rate, beingdifferent from normal display rate during playback operation.

Communication system 500 can comprise a Home Subscriber Server (HSS)540, a tElephone NUmber Mapping (ENUM) server 530, and other networkelements of an IMS network 550. The IMS network 550 can establishcommunications between IMS-compliant communication devices (CDs) 501,502, Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) CDs 503, 505, andcombinations thereof by way of a Media Gateway Control Function (MGCF)520 coupled to a PSTN network 560. The MGCF 520 need not be used when acommunication session involves IMS CD to IMS CD communications. Acommunication session involving at least one PSTN CD may utilize theMGCF 520.

IMS CDs 501, 502 can register with the IMS network 550 by contacting aProxy Call Session Control Function (P-CSCF) which communicates with aninterrogating CSCF (I-CSCF), which in turn, communicates with a ServingCSCF (S-CSCF) to register the CDs with the HSS 540. To initiate acommunication session between CDs, an originating IMS CD 501 can submita Session Initiation Protocol (SIP INVITE) message to an originatingP-CSCF 504 which communicates with a corresponding originating S-CSCF506. The originating S-CSCF 506 can submit the SIP INVITE message to oneor more application servers (aSs) 517 that can provide a variety ofservices to IMS subscribers.

For example, the application servers 517 can be used to performoriginating call feature treatment functions on the calling party numberreceived by the originating S-CSCF 506 in the SIP INVITE message.Originating treatment functions can include determining whether thecalling party number has international calling services, call IDblocking, calling name blocking, 7-digit dialing, and/or is requestingspecial telephony features (e.g., *72 forward calls, *73 cancel callforwarding, *67 for caller ID blocking, and so on). Based on initialfilter criteria (iFCs) in a subscriber profile associated with a CD, oneor more application servers may be invoked to provide various calloriginating feature services.

Additionally, the originating S-CSCF 506 can submit queries to the ENUMsystem 530 to translate an E.164 telephone number in the SIP INVITEmessage to a SIP Uniform Resource Identifier (URI) if the terminatingcommunication device is IMS-compliant. The SIP URI can be used by anInterrogating CSCF (I-CSCF) 507 to submit a query to the HSS 540 toidentify a terminating S-CSCF 514 associated with a terminating IMS CDsuch as reference 502. Once identified, the I-CSCF 507 can submit theSIP INVITE message to the terminating S-CSCF 514. The terminating S-CSCF514 can then identify a terminating P-CSCF 516 associated with theterminating CD 502. The P-CSCF 516 may then signal the CD 502 toestablish Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) communication services,thereby enabling the calling and called parties to engage in voiceand/or data communications. Based on the iFCs in the subscriber profile,one or more application servers may be invoked to provide various callterminating feature services, such as call forwarding, do not disturb,music tones, simultaneous ringing, sequential ringing, etc.

In some instances the aforementioned communication process issymmetrical. Accordingly, the terms “originating” and “terminating” inFIG. 5 may be interchangeable. It is further noted that communicationsystem 500 can be adapted to support video conferencing. In addition,communication system 500 can be adapted to provide the IMS CDs 501, 502with the multimedia and Internet services of communication system 400 ofFIG. 4.

If the terminating communication device is instead a PSTN CD such as CD503 or CD 505 (in instances where the cellular phone only supportscircuit-switched voice communications), the ENUM system 530 can respondwith an unsuccessful address resolution which can cause the originatingS-CSCF 506 to forward the call to the MGCF 520 via a Breakout GatewayControl Function (BGCF) 519. The MGCF 520 can then initiate the call tothe terminating PSTN CD over the PSTN network 560 to enable the callingand called parties to engage in voice and/or data communications.

It is further appreciated that the CDs of FIG. 5 can operate as wirelineor wireless devices. For example, the CDs of FIG. 5 can becommunicatively coupled to a cellular base station 521, a femtocell, aWiFi router, a Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications (DECT) baseunit, or another suitable wireless access unit to establishcommunications with the IMS network 550 of FIG. 5. The cellular accessbase station 521 can operate according to common wireless accessprotocols such as GSM, CDMA, TDMA, UMTS, WiMax, SDR, LTE, and so on.Other present and next generation wireless network technologies can beused by one or more embodiments of the subject disclosure. Accordingly,multiple wireline and wireless communication technologies can be used bythe CDs of FIG. 5.

Cellular phones supporting LTE can support packet-switched voice andpacket-switched data communications and thus may operate asIMS-compliant mobile devices. In this embodiment, the cellular basestation 521 may communicate directly with the IMS network 550 as shownby the arrow connecting the cellular base station 521 and the P-CSCF516.

It is further understood that alternative forms of a CSCF can operate ina device, system, component, or other form of centralized or distributedhardware and/or software. Indeed, a respective CSCF may be embodied as arespective CSCF system having one or more computers or servers, eithercentralized or distributed, where each computer or server may beconfigured to perform or provide, in whole or in part, any method, step,or functionality described herein in accordance with a respective CSCF.Likewise, other functions, servers and computers described herein,including but not limited to, the HSS, the ENUM server, the BGCF, andthe MGCF, can be embodied in a respective system having one or morecomputers or servers, either centralized or distributed, where eachcomputer or server may be configured to perform or provide, in whole orin part, any method, step, or functionality described herein inaccordance with a respective function, server, or computer.

The alternative content manager 430 of FIG. 4 can be operably coupled tothe second communication system 500 for purposes similar to thosedescribed above. The alternative content manager 430 can performfunction 464 and thereby provide alternative content services to the CDs501, 502, 503 and 505 of FIG. 5. CDs 501, 502, 503 and 505, which can beadapted with software to perform function 570 to utilize the services ofthe alternative content manager 430. The alternative content manager 430can be an integral part of the application server(s) 517 performingfunction 572, which can be substantially similar to function 460 andadapted to the operations of the IMS network 550.

For illustration purposes only, the terms S-CSCF, P-CSCF, I-CSCF, and soon, can be server devices, but may be referred to in the subjectdisclosure without the word “server.” It is also understood that anyform of a CSCF server can operate in a device, system, component, orother form of centralized or distributed hardware and software. It isfurther noted that these terms and other terms such as DIAMETER commandsare terms can include features, methodologies, and/or fields that may bedescribed in whole or in part by standards bodies such as ^(3rd)Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). It is further noted that some orall embodiments of the subject disclosure may in whole or in partmodify, supplement, or otherwise supersede final or proposed standardspublished and promulgated by 3GPP.

FIG. 6 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a web portal 602 which canbe hosted by server applications operating from the computing devices430 of the communication system 150 illustrated in FIG. 1. Multimediacontent can be disseminated or otherwise distributed by such a system tocommunication devices in communication with display devices. Themultimedia content can include video cue frames inserted duringproduction or distribution of the multimedia content. Processing at amultimedia processor, such as a set-top box or digital video recordercan interpret or otherwise identify inserted cue frames and selectivelysubstitute the originally disseminated multimedia content withsubstitute content during periods of alternative display rates fromnormal playback display rate. The web portal 602 can be used formanaging services of communication systems 400-500. A web page of theweb portal 602 can be accessed by a Uniform Resource Locator (URL) withan Internet browser such as Microsoft's Internet Explorer™, Mozilla'sFirefox™ Apple's Safari™, or Google's Chrome™ using an Internet-capablecommunication device such as those described in FIGS. 1-2. The webportal 602 can be configured, for example, to access a media processor106 and services managed thereby such as a Digital Video Recorder (DVR),a Video on Demand (VoD) catalog, an Electronic Programming Guide (EPG),or a personal catalog (such as personal videos, pictures, audiorecordings, etc.) stored at the media processor 106. The web portal 602can also be used for provisioning IMS services described earlier,provisioning Internet services, provisioning cellular phone services,and so on.

The web portal 602 can further be utilized to manage and provisionsoftware applications 460-464, and 570-2 to adapt these applications asmay be desired by subscribers and service providers of communicationsystems 400-500.

FIG. 7 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a communication device 700.Communication device 700 can serve in whole or in part as anillustrative embodiment of the devices depicted in FIGS. 4-5. Multimediacontent can be received by the communication device 700 including adisplay 710. The multimedia content can include video cue framesinserted during production or distribution of the multimedia content.Processing at a multimedia processor, for example, implemented withinone or more of the transceiver 702, the controller 706 and the display710, can interpret or otherwise identify inserted cue frames andselectively substitute the originally disseminated multimedia contentwith substitute content during periods of alternative display rates fromnormal playback display rate. The communication device 700 can comprisea wireline and/or wireless transceiver 702 (herein transceiver 702), auser interface (UI) 704, a power supply 714, a location receiver 716, amotion sensor 718, an orientation sensor 720, and a controller 706 formanaging operations thereof. The transceiver 702 can support short-rangeor long-range wireless access technologies such as Bluetooth, ZigBee,WiFi, DECT, or cellular communication technologies, just to mention afew. Cellular technologies can include, for example, CDMA-1X,UMTS/HSDPA, GSM/GPRS, TDMA/EDGE, EV/DO, WiMAX, SDR, LTE, as well asother next generation wireless communication technologies as they arise.The transceiver 702 can also be adapted to support circuit-switchedwireline access technologies (such as PSTN), packet-switched wirelineaccess technologies (such as TCP/IP, VoIP, etc.), and combinationsthereof.

The UI 704 can include a depressible or touch-sensitive keypad 708 witha navigation mechanism such as a roller ball, a joystick, a mouse, or anavigation disk for manipulating operations of the communication device700. The keypad 708 can be an integral part of a housing assembly of thecommunication device 700 or an independent device operably coupledthereto by a tethered wireline interface (such as a USB cable) or awireless interface supporting for example Bluetooth. The keypad 708 canrepresent a numeric keypad commonly used by phones, and/or a QWERTYkeypad with alphanumeric keys. The UI 704 can further include a display710 such as monochrome or color LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), OLED(Organic Light Emitting Diode) or other suitable display technology forconveying images to an end user of the communication device 700. In anembodiment where the display 710 is touch-sensitive, a portion or all ofthe keypad 708 can be presented by way of the display 710 withnavigation features.

The display 710 can use touch screen technology to also serve as a userinterface for detecting user input. As a touch screen display, thecommunication device 700 can be adapted to present a user interface withgraphical user interface (GUI) elements that can be selected by a userwith a touch of a finger. The touch screen display 710 can be equippedwith capacitive, resistive or other forms of sensing technology todetect how much surface area of a user's finger has been placed on aportion of the touch screen display. This sensing information can beused to control the manipulation of the GUI elements or other functionsof the user interface. The display 710 can be an integral part of thehousing assembly of the communication device 400 or an independentdevice communicatively coupled thereto by a tethered wireline interface(such as a cable) or a wireless interface.

The UI 704 can also include an audio system 712 that utilizes audiotechnology for conveying low volume audio (such as audio heard inproximity of a human ear) and high volume audio (such as speakerphonefor hands free operation). The audio system 712 can further include amicrophone for receiving audible signals of an end user. The audiosystem 712 can also be used for voice recognition applications. The UI704 can further include an image sensor 713 such as a charged coupleddevice (CCD) camera for capturing still or moving images.

The power supply 714 can utilize common power management technologiessuch as replaceable and rechargeable batteries, supply regulationtechnologies, and/or charging system technologies for supplying energyto the components of the communication device 700 to facilitatelong-range or short-range portable applications. Alternatively, or incombination, the charging system can utilize external power sources suchas DC power supplied over a physical interface such as a USB port orother suitable tethering technologies.

The location receiver 716 can utilize location technology such as aglobal positioning system (GPS) receiver capable of assisted GPS foridentifying a location of the communication device 700 based on signalsgenerated by a constellation of GPS satellites, which can be used forfacilitating location services such as navigation. The motion sensor 718can utilize motion sensing technology such as an accelerometer, agyroscope, or other suitable motion sensing technology to detect motionof the communication device 700 in three-dimensional space. Theorientation sensor 720 can utilize orientation sensing technology suchas a magnetometer to detect the orientation of the communication device700 (north, south, west, and east, as well as combined orientations indegrees, minutes, or other suitable orientation metrics).

The communication device 700 can use the transceiver 702 to alsodetermine a proximity to a cellular, WiFi, Bluetooth, or other wirelessaccess points by sensing techniques such as utilizing a received signalstrength indicator (RSSI) and/or signal time of arrival (TOA) or time offlight (TOF) measurements. The controller 706 can utilize computingtechnologies such as a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP),programmable gate arrays, application specific integrated circuits,and/or a video processor with associated storage memory such as Flash,ROM, RAM, SRAM, DRAM or other storage technologies for executingcomputer instructions, controlling, and processing data supplied by theaforementioned components of the communication device 400.

Other components not shown in FIG. 7 can be used in one or moreembodiments of the subject disclosure. For instance, the communicationdevice 700 can include a reset button (not shown). The reset button canbe used to reset the controller 706 of the communication device 700. Inyet another embodiment, the communication device 700 can also include afactory default setting button positioned, for example, below a smallhole in a housing assembly of the communication device 700 to force thecommunication device 700 to re-establish factory settings. In thisembodiment, a user can use a protruding object such as a pen or paperclip tip to reach into the hole and depress the default setting button.The communication device 400 can also include a slot for adding orremoving an identity module such as a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM)card. SIM cards can be used for identifying subscriber services,executing programs, storing subscriber data, and so forth.

The communication device 700 as described herein can operate with moreor less of the circuit components shown in FIG. 7. These variantembodiments can be used in one or more embodiments of the subjectdisclosure.

The communication device 700 can be adapted to perform the functions ofthe media processor 406, the media devices 408, or the portablecommunication devices 416 of FIG. 4, as well as the IMS CDs 501-502 andPSTN CDs 503-505 of FIG. 5. It will be appreciated that thecommunication device 700 can also represent other devices that canoperate in communication systems 400-500 of FIGS. 4-5 such as a gamingconsole and a media player.

The communication device 700 shown in FIG. 7 or portions thereof canserve as a representation of one or more of the devices of communicationsystems 400-500. In addition, the controller 706 can be adapted invarious embodiments to perform the functions 460-464 and 570-572,respectively.

The techniques disclosed herein offer several advantages including anability to convey messages to a display device by way of alternativecontent substituted for program content during periods of alternativedisplay rates, such as fast forward and reverse. The messages can beprovided in a manner such that they are intelligible by a viewer of thedisplay device, providing a coherent message despite the display rateselection. Other advantages include an ability to increase revenue fromthe sale of promotional spots. Namely, the original promotional spot canbe sold as is done today for the delivery of a promotional messageduring normal play. The same promotional spot can be sold to the sameentity or to another entity for delivering a similar or differentmessage during periods of viewing display rate adjustment. Thus, atypical 30, 60 or 90 second commercial for a fast food restaurant orsoft drink can be substituted with a shortened message, such as a flashversion of a commercial for the same promoter suitable for consumptionat fast forward, e.g. 10×, or by a billboard message, such as a name,logo, image and so forth related to the particular goods and servicesbeing promoted.

Still further advantages, allow for such enhanced sale of alternativecontent to be distributed from national networks, to local networks,affiliates, providers, and the like. Other advantages include an abilityto provide different alternative media content for the same recordedprogram. Namely, alternative media can be obtained at or near a time ofviewing. Thus a pre-recorded program viewed at any time in the futurecan be accompanied by fresh promotional messages.

Upon reviewing the aforementioned embodiments, it would be evident to anartisan with ordinary skill in the art that said embodiments can bemodified, reduced, or enhanced without departing from the scope of theclaims described below. For example, the techniques disclosed hereinrelated to the processing of video frames could be applied to audiorecordings. Audio cue frames would be provided and used to select andinsert alternative audio content during periods of alternative displayrate, including fast forward and rewind, delivering a coherent audiomessage during such periods of operation. Other embodiments can be usedin the subject disclosure.

It should be understood that devices described in the exemplaryembodiments can be in communication with each other via various wirelessand/or wired methodologies. The methodologies can be links that aredescribed as coupled, connected and so forth, which can includeunidirectional and/or bidirectional communication over wireless pathsand/or wired paths that utilize one or more of various protocols ormethodologies, where the coupling and/or connection can be direct (e.g.,no intervening processing device) and/or indirect (e.g., an intermediaryprocessing device such as a router).

FIG. 8 depicts an exemplary diagrammatic representation of a machine inthe form of a computer system 800 within which a set of instructions,when executed, may cause the machine to perform any one or more of themethods describe above. One or more instances of the machine canoperate, for example, as the alternative content manager 430, mediaprocessor 406, the alternative media processor 150, the alternativemedia controller 110, the storage device 130 and other devices of FIGS.1 and 3-7. In some embodiments, the machine may be connected (e.g.,using a network 826) to other machines. In a networked deployment, themachine may operate in the capacity of a server or a client user machinein server-client user network environment, or as a peer machine in apeer-to-peer (or distributed) network environment.

The machine may comprise a server computer, a client user computer, apersonal computer (PC), a tablet PC, a smart phone, a laptop computer, adesktop computer, a control system, a network router, switch or bridge,or any machine capable of executing a set of instructions (sequential orotherwise) that specify actions to be taken by that machine. It will beunderstood that a communication device of the subject disclosureincludes broadly any electronic device that provides voice, video ordata communication. Further, while a single machine is illustrated, theterm “machine” shall also be taken to include any collection of machinesthat individually or jointly execute a set (or multiple sets) ofinstructions to perform any one or more of the methods discussed herein.

The computer system 800 may include a processor (or controller) 802(e.g., a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU,or both), a main memory 804 and a static memory 806, which communicatewith each other via a bus 808. The computer system 800 may furtherinclude a display unit 810 (e.g., a liquid crystal display (LCD), a flatpanel, or a solid state display. The computer system 800 may include aninput device 812 (e.g., a keyboard), a cursor control device 814 (e.g.,a mouse), a disk drive unit 816, a signal generation device 818 (e.g., aspeaker or remote control) and a network interface device 820. Indistributed environments, the embodiments described in the subjectdisclosure can be adapted to utilize multiple display units 810controlled by two or more computer systems 800. In this configuration,presentations described by the subject disclosure may in part be shownin a first of the display units 810, while the remaining portion ispresented in a second of the display units 810.

The disk drive unit 816 may include a tangible computer-readable storagemedium 822 on which is stored one or more sets of instructions (e.g.,software 824) embodying any one or more of the methods or functionsdescribed herein, including those methods illustrated above. Theinstructions 824 may also reside, completely or at least partially,within the main memory 804, the static memory 806, and/or within theprocessor 802 during execution thereof by the computer system 800. Themain memory 804 and the processor 802 also may constitute tangiblecomputer-readable storage media.

Dedicated hardware implementations including, but not limited to,application specific integrated circuits, programmable logic arrays andother hardware devices that can likewise be constructed to implement themethods described herein. Application specific integrated circuits andprogrammable logic array can use downloadable instructions for executingstate machines and/or circuit configurations to implement embodiments ofthe subject disclosure. Applications that may include the apparatus andsystems of various embodiments broadly include a variety of electronicand computer systems. Some embodiments implement functions in two ormore specific interconnected hardware modules or devices with relatedcontrol and data signals communicated between and through the modules,or as portions of an application-specific integrated circuit. Thus, theexample system is applicable to software, firmware, and hardwareimplementations.

In accordance with various embodiments of the subject disclosure, themethods described herein are intended for operation as software programsrunning on a computer processor or other forms of instructionsmanifested as a state machine implemented with logic components in anapplication specific integrated circuit or field programmable array.Furthermore, software implementations can include, but not limited to,distributed processing or component/object distributed processing,parallel processing, or virtual machine processing can also beconstructed to implement the methods described herein. It is furthernoted that a computing device such as a processor, a controller, a statemachine or other suitable device for executing instructions to performoperations on a controllable device may perform such operations on thecontrollable device directly or indirectly by way of an intermediatedevice directed by the computing device.

While the tangible computer-readable storage medium 622 is shown in anexample embodiment to be a single medium, the term “tangiblecomputer-readable storage medium” should be taken to include a singlemedium or multiple media (e.g., a centralized or distributed database,and/or associated caches and servers) that store the one or more sets ofinstructions. The term “tangible computer-readable storage medium” shallalso be taken to include any non-transitory medium that is capable ofstoring or encoding a set of instructions for execution by the machineand that cause the machine to perform any one or more of the methods ofthe subject disclosure.

The term “tangible computer-readable storage medium” shall accordinglybe taken to include, but not be limited to: solid-state memories such asa memory card or other package that houses one or more read-only(non-volatile) memories, random access memories, or other re-writable(volatile) memories, a magneto-optical or optical medium such as a diskor tape, or other tangible media which can be used to store information.Accordingly, the disclosure is considered to include any one or more ofa tangible computer-readable storage medium, as listed herein andincluding art-recognized equivalents and successor media, in which thesoftware implementations herein are stored.

Although the present specification describes components and functionsimplemented in the embodiments with reference to particular standardsand protocols, the disclosure is not limited to such standards andprotocols. Each of the standards for Internet and other packet switchednetwork transmission (e.g., TCP/IP, UDP/IP, HTML, HTTP) representexamples of the state of the art. Such standards are from time-to-timesuperseded by faster or more efficient equivalents having essentiallythe same functions. Wireless standards for device detection (e.g.,RFID), short-range communications (e.g., Bluetooth, WiFi, Zigbee), andlong-range communications (e.g., WiMAX, GSM, CDMA, LTE) can be used bycomputer system 800.

The illustrations of embodiments described herein are intended toprovide a general understanding of the structure of various embodiments,and they are not intended to serve as a complete description of all theelements and features of apparatus and systems that might make use ofthe structures described herein. Many other embodiments will be apparentto those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. Otherembodiments may be utilized and derived therefrom, such that structuraland logical substitutions and changes may be made without departing fromthe scope of this disclosure. Figures are also merely representationaland may not be drawn to scale. Certain proportions thereof may beexaggerated, while others may be minimized. Accordingly, thespecification and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative ratherthan a restrictive sense.

Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and describedherein, it should be appreciated that any arrangement calculated toachieve the same purpose may be substituted for the specific embodimentsshown. This disclosure is intended to cover any and all adaptations orvariations of various embodiments. Combinations of the aboveembodiments, and other embodiments not specifically described herein,can be used in the subject disclosure.

The Abstract of the Disclosure is provided with the understanding thatit will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of theclaims. In addition, in the foregoing Detailed Description, it can beseen that various features are grouped together in a single embodimentfor the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method ofdisclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that theclaimed embodiments require more features than are expressly recited ineach claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive subjectmatter lies in less than all features of a single disclosed embodiment.Thus the following claims are hereby incorporated into the DetailedDescription, with each claim standing on its own as a separately claimedsubject matter.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method comprising: identifying, by a processingsystem including a processor, a cue frame location within media content,the media content displayed with a first display rate; detecting, by theprocessing system, a cue frame occurring at the cue frame location,wherein the cue frame comprises alternative media content and an encodedmessage; obtaining, by the processing system, the alternative mediacontent from the cue frame; and providing, by the processing systembased on the encoded message, the alternative media content for displaywith a second display rate.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the mediacontent and the alternative media content are displayed at a displaydevice, and wherein the alternative media content is displayed accordingto a selection of the second display rate, the second display ratediffering from the first display rate.
 3. The method of claim 2, whereinthe alternative media content is obtained in accordance with acomparison of the second display rate with a threshold value.
 4. Themethod of claim 2, wherein the alternative media content isimperceptible at the display device during presentation at the firstdisplay rate.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the media content isdisplayed at a first display device and the alternative media content isdisplayed at a second display device different from the first displaydevice.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the cue frame comprises asingle cue frame bordered by neighboring, non-cue frames, and whereinthe detecting of the cue frame is based on a difference between an imageof the alternative media content of the cue frame and image data of theneighboring, non-cue frames.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the cueframe comprises a signal identifying a location within a video framesequence.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the cue frame comprises avideo cue frame including an image portion comprising the alternativemedia content.
 9. The method of claim 1, further comprising generating,by the processing system, a still image comprising the alternative mediacontent, and wherein the encoded message comprises one of a bar code ora quick response (QR) code.
 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the mediacontent comprises moving images, and wherein the one of the bar code orthe QR code identifies the cue frame as a placard for display as thestill image.
 11. An apparatus comprising: a processing system includinga processor; and a memory that stores executable instructions that, whenexecuted by the processing system, facilitate performance of operationscomprising: identifying a cue frame location within media content, themedia content displayed with a first display rate; detecting a cue frameoccurring at the cue frame location, the cue frame comprising a singlecue frame bordered by neighboring, non-cue frames, wherein the cue framecomprises alternative media content and an encoded message; obtainingthe alternative media content from the cue frame; and providing, basedon the encoded message, the alternative media content for display with asecond display rate, the second display rate differing from the firstdisplay rate.
 12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the alternativemedia content is obtained in accordance with a comparison of the seconddisplay rate with a threshold value.
 13. The apparatus of claim 11,wherein the media content and the alternative media content aredisplayed at a display device, and wherein the alternative media contentis imperceptible at the display device during presentation at the firstdisplay rate.
 14. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the detecting ofthe cue frame is based on a difference between an image of thealternative media content of the cue frame and image data of theneighboring, non-cue frames.
 15. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein thecue frame comprises a video cue frame including an image portioncomprising the alternative media content.
 16. A machine-readable mediumcomprising executable instructions that, when executed by a processingsystem including a processor, facilitate performance of operationscomprising: identifying a cue frame location within media content, themedia content displayed with a first display rate; detecting a cue frameoccurring at the cue frame location, wherein the cue frame comprisesalternative media content and an encoded message; obtaining thealternative media content from the cue frame; and providing, based onthe encoded message, the alternative media content for display with asecond display rate, the second display rate differing from the firstdisplay rate.
 17. The machine-readable medium of claim 16, wherein thealternative media content is displayed according to a selection of thesecond display rate, and wherein the alternative media content isobtained in accordance with a comparison of the second display rate witha threshold value.
 18. The machine-readable medium of claim 16, whereinthe media content and the alternative media content are displayed at adisplay device, and wherein the alternative media content isimperceptible at the display device during presentation at the firstdisplay rate.
 19. The machine-readable medium of claim 16, wherein thecue frame comprises a single cue frame bordered by neighboring, non-cueframes, and wherein the detecting of the cue frame is based on adifference between an image of the alternative media content of the cueframe and image data of the neighboring, non-cue frames.
 20. Themachine-readable medium of claim 16, wherein the operations furthercomprise generating a still image comprising the alternative mediacontent, wherein the encoded message comprises one of a bar code or aquick response (QR) code, and wherein the one of the bar code or the QRcode identifies the cue frame as a placard for display as the stillimage.